"Innovation, creativity, and job growth are vital to America's economic recovery," said AILA Treasurer William Stock. He continued, "AILA urges the President and Congress to enact a comprehensive bill that addresses all of our nation's immigration needs. The Immigration Innovation or I-Squared Act provides critical reforms in the area of high-skilled immigration and should be incorporated into an overall reform package."

The I-Squared Act addresses many of the key issues faced by businesses that need access to highly-skilled workers and foreign students graduating from U.S. universities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Furthermore, the measure would provide for additional employment-based green cards that are essential to an effectively-functioning immigration system. The I-Squared Act expands the number of green cards to meet economic demand without taking away green cards from other immigration categories, an important feature that distinguishes it from other high-skilled immigration bills. The Act will also create a fund through fees to be paid by businesses seeking STEM workers that will be used to improve STEM education at the state level, helping to alleviate possible future shortages in the STEM fields.

"This bill identifies many of the fixes that are necessary in the high-skilled area, without creating new red tape and bureaucratic barriers to businesses who need these workers. Innovative in name and by design, the I-Squared Act prepares America's economy for the future. It's in our economic interest and our nation's interest. We are encouraged to see this bipartisan effort led by these four Senators to address our broken immigration system and look forward to working with those in Congress who understand that the important issues addressed by I-Squared are a crucial piece of the overall immigration reform effort," concluded Mr. Stock.

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.